Posted on 4/29/2008 4:58:32 PM

NBA Free Picks – Detroit Watching Legend Crumble Against Philly

By Tim Furious

Philadelphia 76ers (40-42) vs. Detroit Pistons (59-23)

Tuesday, April 29th --- Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit --- 7:00pm EST

Series: TIED 2-2

NBA Betting Line: Detroit -9 (177.5)

The online basketball betting oddsmakers are hoping Detroit returns to form, while the betting investors are praying that Philadelphia continues to roll. Those who have been profiting off these Sixers are praying that these near-double-digit spread will bring them rewards tonight. The problem is that Detroit responded from lopsided losses in Game 1 and 3 with crushing victories in Games 2 and 4.

This has been a topsy turvy series to say the least, with Philadelphia gaining the upper hand by winning odd-numbered games. The Sixers have won by an average margin of 12-points in their two triumphs and are finally coming together. The detractors that hated on Andre Igoudala have every reason to worry about the surging scorer who has averaged 10.5 points thus far. He also has 5.8 assists and leads the team with 1.5 steals per game.

If Philadelphia is to have any hope of winning this now-three-game series, it will up to Igoudala. Andre Miller has poured in 17.0 points per game, while Samuel Dalembert continues to prove that Detroit is thin in the middle. Unless Igoudala can muster the courage to be “the man”, Philadelphia has no hope.

However, all is not lost based on Iggy alone. Detroit is a strange team. Everyone is expecting them to win this game. Nearly eight percent of the betting community is leaning towards Detroit in a blowout from the conception of this article. In the playoffs, when expectations are high on Detroit, they crumble. When they are the underappreciated team that everyone hates on, they thrive. Right now, they’re the former and that spells mega trouble for their betting investors.

Detroit is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games at home, while going 11-2 SU in a 13 game home span. They are 18-7 SU in their last 25 against Philadelphia while pushing the UNDER in 6-of-8 games when playing Philadelphia. So far so good.

Now the bad part for Detroit’s betting faithful – Detroit is 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia. The UNDER is still the bet to make, because I have a nasty feeling that Philadelphia is going to go up early in this game and Detroit is going to give up again. Watch Game 1 and Game 3 again and tell me honestly that they didn’t phone in the last 20-mintues of either of those games.

That attitude doesn’t get you championships, and a certainly doesn’t get you past a fearless and furious Sixers squad thirsting for the downfall of the Pistons Empire. Do you hear that sound? The walls are coming down in Detroit...run for cover.

NBA Furious Free Picks: Philadelphia +9 (UNDER)

You’ll find the latest 2007-2008 NBA odds and lines in the best online sportsbook, BetUS.com. Betting on NBA player and game props makes every aspect of the game exciting. Join BetUS.com today to bet on the NBA and make online sports betting work for you!